CBD Extraction Methods - Thar Process

The popularity of cannabis plants is increasing day by day as cannabinoid are found in them and is an alternative solution to common ailments. For example, tetrahydrocannabinol (C21H30O2) is another cannabinoid, which is also found in cannabis plants. Moreover, this CBD doesn`t have a psychoactive effect and, when this CBD oil is ingested, only 1/5th part of it is absorbed. The process of CBD must be carried out carefully in order to have CBD oil effective. These days, with the development of technology, there are numerous options available and, most CO2 Extraction Companies like Thar process believe in supercritical CO2 extraction method. This is because this method of extraction is environment friendly, less-expensive, non-toxic, and green product obtain as a yield. Let`s have a look at CBD extraction through this content journey.

Different types of extraction methods:

#1. CO2 Extraction: The king of all extraction methods

Supercritical carbon dioxide is used as a solvent in the CO2 extraction method to pull phytochemicals from cannabis plants. Supercritical CO2 possesses the properties of liquid as well as gas and, the critical temperature and pressure of supercritical carbon dioxide are 31 degrees Celsius and 73 bar respectively. This state of solvent is perfect for extraction this fluid can easily move through materials like gas and dissolve materials like a liquid.  

#2. Solvent extraction:

In this extraction method, a hydrocarbon such as ethanol (CH3CH2OH) works as a solvent to remove extracts from cannabis plants trimming. And this typically looks like this:

• First of all, CH3CH2OH (Ethanol) is added to trimming and mixed for minutes and after that, allow ethanol to dissolve extracts from the plant materials. 

• After that, ethanol is strained from the materials. 

• At the end of this extraction process, all the ethanol is evaporated by heating and, only the plant extracts remain.

#3Dry ice or ice water method:

It is clear from the name of this extraction method that dry ice is used as a solvent. But there is a question about dry ice. The carbon dioxide (CO2), which is in solid form is known as dry ice. While the extraction process is carried on, this creates a powdery resin extract often referred to as bubble hash. In this method of extraction, there are many variations and, they follow these below steps:

• Dry ice is mixed with finely-chopped plant trimmings and, this step is helping in separating extracts from the plant material. 

• After that, some water is added to the mixture of trimming and ice, and the final mixture is strained through a mesh bag. 

• You will see, the extracts settle at the bottom of the strained mixture. You can get the final product in powder form by draining excess water from the top.

Wrapping up

In all extraction methods, temperature control is an important element to obtain a higher yield in CBD extraction. Moreover, the temperatures have positive as well as negative impacts as the excess temperature can damage CBD and, lower temperatures can`t proceed the process. For example, in the CO2 Extraction process, the temperature of CO2 is about 31°C and, if this temperature is varied, it can give a negative impact on the final product. Thanks! 

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CO2 Extraction of Cannabis Oil: A Guide

The process of CO2 extraction is used to make many food and other products and, these days its popularity is highly in demand as it extracts top quality cannabis oil high in cannabidiol. In the medical cannabis and therapeutic hemp industries, supercritical as well as subcritical extraction is highly used with large commercial operations. Through this content journey, we may come to know about the CO2 extraction for cannabis oil. 

 

Safer, cheaper, and greener solvent:

Cannabis oil uses on a commercial scale either through the use of hydrocarbon solvents such as hexane, butane or via other supercritical or subcritical carbon dioxide processes. The extraction based on carbon dioxide is considered more environmentally friendly. Additionally, this solvent is safer, cleaner, and less toxic than fossil-based extraction.  

What is supercritical CO2?

In simple words, a supercritical carbon dioxide is a pressurized form of CO2 having critical temperature and, critical pressure is 31 °C and 73 bar. This liquid form of carbon dioxide is known as supercritical CO2. Supercritical CO2 extraction enables directing maximum productivities of cannabidiol reliant on the type and quality of cannabis material being used.

 

Supercritical carbon dioxide: cannabis oil extraction

• First of all, the extraction chamber is filled with ground material, which is known as trim. 

• After that, a pump forces highly pressurized CO2 at optimum temperature into the extraction chamber.

• In the extraction chamber, liquid carbon dioxide acts as a solvent and interacts with cannabis. 

• The highly pressured form of carbon dioxide carries the oil particles of cannabis and, the pressure inside the separator is lower and, the CO2 and cannabis oil separate out. 

• The liquid carbon dioxide increases and is running scared back to the CO2 tank for recycling in the case of a closed-loop system.

• The cannabis oil, waxes, and resins incline in the separator where they are seized by a collection container.

• The resultant material is treated further into numerous products, such as cannabis oil, free of any solvents.

 

Cannabidiol oil yields with supercritical CO2

While talking about yield oil with supercritical carbon dioxide, it produces approx.10% true cannabis oil and, it depends on trim weight. On the other side, if you add in the resin and waxes that are essential for some application and the final product may be from 18 to 25% of the product. 

 

Costs of supercritical CO2 extraction equipment:

The equipment used for the carbon dioxide extraction process is too much expensive. And, it varies from tens of thousands of dollars for small units and thousands of dollars for cutting edge having a capacity of 60 liters.

 

Wrapping up

In the end, we can say Supercritical CO2 extraction is nothing without carbon dioxide, or also can say that supercritical carbon dioxide is the backbone for many extraction industries. Hopefully, the information shared through this informative post will help you a lot regarding the role of highly pressurized CO2 in the extraction process. Thanks!

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What is a Supercritical Fluid?

A supercritical fluid is a highly-pressurized fluid having properties of the gas as well as liquid and, this technology is used in many industrial applications. This critical fluid is like a base of clean technology and is an alternative solvent for the extraction of natural products and other chemicals. On the website of Thar Process, you will find many applications on supercritical fluids in the extraction industry. Through this blog, you may come to know about supercritical fluid and its uses in many industrial areas.

How do you create a Supercritical Fluid?

In order to create a supercritical fluid, it is essential to apply pressure and temperature above its critical points. To clear this point, let us take an example of carbon dioxide when the temperature and pressure of CO2 are 31 degrees Celsius and, above 73 bar, it turns into a mixture form of gas and liquid. This supercritical fluid uses as a solvent in many extractions processes. Moreover, operating these conditions helps in creating many unique properties to extract natural products. 

 

Subcritical and Supercritical water (H2O)?

At 374°C temperature and 220 bar pressure, water has a higher supercritical point than carbon dioxide. Additionally, it is suitable for various hydrothermal processes for oxidation in waste processes and treats hazardous waste. You will see, at the supercritical level oxidation occur and gases and organic compound mix together. Moreover, this supercritical fluid is used as an alternative to supercritical carbon dioxide. The water in the supercritical region is highly pressurized and is in liquid form. The properties of the fluid can be alternated to selectively extract natural materials by changing the temperature and pressure between 150°C and 350°C, and 15 to 200 bar. 

 

Uses of supercritical fluids:

Extraction

 The essential gain of supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) has over solvents used in extraction techniques its excessive diffusion and the capability to selectively modify the homes to selectively extract one-of-a-kind components. Once dissolved in supercritical CO2 depressurization releases the extracted factors and, the CO2 is back to a fuel This can then both be evaporated harmlessly into the air or recycled by way of condensation.

Sterilization

Supercritical fluid can be used to deactivate or ruin some bacteria, fungi, and yeasts via excessive strain disrupting or destroying the mobile partitions. And they are consequently used in sterilizing meals and scientific instruments.  

Purification

Chromatography of extracted elements the use of supercritical fluids can acquire an excessive range of purification. Its examples contain vegetable oils, plant extracts, fish oil. 

Chemical reactions

Supercritical fluids can decorate the solubility of reactants and merchandise growing response rate. Examples encompass biomass conversion, gasoline processing, quite many varieties of catalysis and polymerization.

Drying

You can use these fluids to dissolve solvents into the supercritical segment besides collapsing the 3D buildings inside pretty porous materials due to an absence of floor anxiety in supercritical fluids. This procedure is additionally used in modern-day dry-cleaning methods for clothes, to change chlorinated solvents.

In closing

The above listing is the uses of supercritical fluid and conditions to make a supercritical liquid that can be used as a solvent in the extraction process. Hopefully, the information shared through this post regarding Supercritical fluid will help you a lot. Thanks!

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